Professor Stephen Withers FRS

Khorana Professor of Biological Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of British Columbia

Stephen Withers has made enormous conceptual leaps in our understanding of the reaction mechanism of enzymes. His pioneering dissection of enzyme action has led to unparalleled advances in carbohydrate chemistry and biochemistry both at a fundamental level and in the application of enzymes for organic synthesis of carbohydrates and carbohydrate-based therapeutics. His work impacts across many disciplines with ramifications beyond carbohydrates through to the core of how nature’s catalysts act and how they can be manipulated for societal benefit.